Alegnta Felleke, PhD

PhD Program Director
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Worden School Building, Room 28
210-431-3911
afelleke@ollusa.edu

Curriculum Vitae

Areas of Expertise

My scholarship examines the effects of social policy contexts on individual and family outcomes, in particular, poverty, assets effects, financial capability, behavioral health of children in low-income families, and inequality in the U.S. and in a global context. My research includes investigating (1) the effects of assets on financial wellbeing and its spillover effects on family wellbeing (2) the effects of financial capability or how financial knowledge and financial inclusion interactively shape the financial wellbeing of low-income families (3) how family policies influence poverty, inequality, and the mental and behavioral health of children growing in low-income families. Theoretical foundations include the capability approach, the Pyramid Model – Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS) framework, and the Public Health Approach. I have presented my research findings at several national conferences such as the Counsel on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting and Society for Social Work Research (SSWR) and published my research in peer-reviewed articles. 

Teaching Philosophy

My primary goal is to encourage students to develop an increased awareness of their values, interests, and strengths so that they will be prepared to confidently represent their expertise in work settings and to engage in research to address complex social problems. I believe it is essential for the social work scholars in the doctoral program to assess the ways in which ontological, epistemological, historical, and political contexts influence their areas of research interest, and how the opportunity architecture and institutional arrangements shape the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities and their life chances. My teaching philosophy is manifested through three pedagogical emphases: These are individualizing the learning process, creating an active and inclusive learning environment, and, integrating ethical and social justice theory, as well as tools for ethical reasoning into social work courses.

Outside Interests

I work closely with local social work agencies in San Antonio. I currently serve as a Primary Investigator to evaluate the efficacy of one behavioral health intervention (Project LAUNCH) and one child welfare project (Por Los Niños) in San Antonio.

• Project LAUNCH is a five-year behavioral health project for children between the ages of 0 and 8, which is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The intervention is being implemented by Family Service San Antonio with a $5 million USD grant. 
• Por Los Niños is a five-year direct treatment and capacity building resource that includes: 1) specialized, trauma-informed treatment for children under the age of 12; 2) training to build the capacity of CPS staff; and 3) creating a trauma-informed foster care/kinship care provider network. The project is funded by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The intervention is being implemented by Family Service San Antonio with $3.5 million USD grant.